Hong Kong have named a largely experimental side for their clash with Japan A on Friday, the first real challenge of the city’s Rugby World Cup era.
A new-look second row, a new combination behind the scrum, and two new wings are among the changes that give the team a very different look to that which won the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) in July.
Of the 23-man squad, there are five fresh faces, including Max Murphy, who comes in at lock alongside the returning Kyle Sullivan. There is another change at scrum half, with Brendon Nell getting the nod at 9 in a new half-back pairing with fly half Joe Barker.
Meanwhile, the absence of sevens stars Harry Sayers and Max Denmark has opened places on the wing, which have been filled by Dylan McCann and Marcus Ramage.
Of the others, prop Ben Sheldon, lock James Rivers and scrum half Eric Chui will all get their first experience of playing in front of a home crowd at Kai Tak Stadium.
Hong Kong’s Sunia Fameitau (centre), followed by Max Murphy, takes the ball into contact during a training session. Photo: Dickson Lee
With Australia in 2027 now the focus of the team’s attention, head of technical rugby Andrew Douglas has put out a side that was “looking to build something”.